I have the slik af2100 pistol grip. I got it with my first decent tripod when I started. It would hold my d810 with 300mm. I did use the 300mm foot to mount to give better balance. I have since switched to a gitzo ball head and use a wimberly side kick gimbal. Once balanced you can point your camera in any direction and leave it. If you really want it locked there’s a knob to lock it in but I rarely use it.
Might I suggest starting off with some of Fuji’s xc line lenses. They can be found relatively cheap and are really very nice glass for the money. I had Nikon full frame and have tried to use those on the Fuji with some success but overall I prefer the native lenses. I also got a viltorx 85mm x mount which is a fabulous lens for that system.
For the cruise if we ever get to go again I have a usb powered lap size electric blanket I keep on my equipment in the cabin so I can grab and head to the deck if there is something to shoot.
If only my real camera could upload my picture to all my devices, multiple social media apps, save a backup to the cloud etc. hell I’d be happy if it would just go straight to Lightroom. For the money I spent you’d think it would be just a little connected.
Would also recommend the ex-# simply for the option of interchangeable lenses. Same experience. I have the xe-1 but I’m left eyed and found it’s rangefinder style a little to much camera in my nose and face so I also got an XT-10 which I love.
I think and could be wrong if you have used regular ink in your printer you can’t switch to dye sub or the other way around. At least that’s what they told me when I got my sawgrass printer
Love it. It was the “kit” lens that came with my D810. I have lots of lenses 80-200 2.8, 35-70 2.8, 80 1.8, 35 2.0 etc all that said to say I use this lens more than any other. I think it has adequate Bokeh for subject to background separation. Never tried tubes with it. If it’s Nikon refurbished I’d think it’s a good as new.
I have a gitzo with a ball head and use the wimberly side kick which attaches to the ball head. I also have a manfroto video monopod with a fluid head. Both are small setups and easy to carry